// The annual best-of lists, a note from Hooker, and Christmas
// musings. Enjoy. [BP]

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Subject: NN: NanciNet Top Ten for 2003
   Date: Dec 19, 2003 12:52 PM
   From: "David T. Steere, Jr." (davidtsteere@yahoo.com>

It's that time again.  Since several you have informally started mentioning
your nominations for Best of 2003, let's go...  

Please send your best lists to bestofnanci@yahoo.com.  Only lists sent to
this e-mail address will be counted.  Of course, send them to the NanciNet,
as well, so we can all appreciate your choices.  Any of you who've already
submitted your best lists, please also send them to the yahoo address above
(that means you, Matt Bloomfield!).

Start date:  NOW
End date: JAN. 15TH, 2004 (no submissions accepted after the 15th)

Guidelines:

1.  Best cds of 2003: 

limit your list to no more than 15 choices.  Try to say something brief
about why you think each choice is so good.  US, UK, or anywhere releases
during 2003 are all fair game.  This does mean, of course, that some titles
will likely appear on this year's and next year's lists (e.g., Kate Rusby's
new cd is out in the UK this year and in the US next year).  

if any of your nominations are anthologies, re-issues, tribute albums,
broadway scores, or anything unusual, please indicate so.  If there are
sufficient numbers of these, I may tabulate them in a separate "best of"
category.

try to give me the complete name of the artist and the cd....with correct
spelling! 

2. Best music dvds of 2003

since a number of interesting music dvds were released this year, let's try
this as a separate category of nominations. This can include any stand-along
music dvds or any cds which were released with accompanying or bonus music
dvds.  There were a number of these this year.  If you  believe one of them
is the best of the year, please say so.  Be aware that you are nominating
the dvd part of the package only.  If you feel the cd is also a "top ten"
candidate, nominate that separately in the category above.


Clear? or totally confusing?

Would the brilliant person responsible for maintaining previous years' bests
lists (at http://www.nanci-griffith.com/nanci_links/TopTens/index.html) be
willing to post the results for 2003 in late January?

Any questions, e-mail me at davidtsteere@yahoo.com.  Remember that your
nominations must go to bestofnanci@yahoo.com. 

David

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Subject: NN: Christmas With A Hooker!
   Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 12:31:09 -0500
   From: (jameshooker@615songs.com>

Hi guys!
Merry Christmas from me and whatever pulls your wagon for you.

Seems like I've got a habit (some say a bad one) of writing a Christmas song
of some sort every year.  This year, I spent Christmas at my friend Janine's
house.  I gave her an audio Christmas card.  I wanted to make her laugh and
I did...I think I was forgiven some liberties I took, because she did laugh
and played it more than once.  If you would like to hear it, it is at:
http://tinyurl.com/vxmm 
The title is "Christmas at Neen's House."

Take care and eat more possum!

James Hooker

http://www.615songs.com

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Subject: NN: Re: finger pickin' good
   Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2003 14:18:16 -0800 (PST)
   From:  Shawn Kimbro (shawn@mountainsoul.net>

--- Christen (griffly@yahoo.com> wrote:
Surely someone out there plays guitar like Nanci Griffith when 
she is finger picking.  A friend of mine wants to be Nanci
Griffith, but she is struggling with finger picking.
Here is her note to me from this afternoon:

"I wish I could remember where I read about Nanci Griffith's method 
of making her own finger picks by snipping off the original and 
attaching part of a flat pick.  Any idea where on her site I would 
have read that?"

Can anyone help?  Point in a direction?  
Nose pickers need not apply.  

I won't deny the nose pickin', but I believe Sue Peete
touches on Nanci's guitar picks on her
nanci-griffith.com web site bio page.  I think the
original quote came from a Guitar Player magazine
article in 1993 or thereabouts.... Someone on the
NanciNet will know so I'll copy them.

-Shawn

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Subject: Re: NN: Re: finger pickin' good
   Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 21:17:01 -0800
   From: Kim Cline (threebf@pacbell.net>

Dear Xen,
I remember reading about her making of her picks in Acoustic Guitar Magazine
a few years ago. I believe she was featured on the cover. 
Regards,
Kim Cline

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Subject: NN: 2003 Favorites
   Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 21:18:55 -0500
   From: "Stephen Zeoli" (szeoli@earthlink.net>

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, folks.

I didn't buy a whole lot of CDs this year, so my sample is somewhat slim.
However, I did find several enjoyable entries that ride my CD player on a
regular basis. Here they are in no particular order:

The Other Side of Time, by Mary Fahl. This is the long-awaited solo work
from the lead vocalist of the now defunct band October Project. Her deep
contralto voice is rich and expressive, the music very operatic and ornate
at times.

Befriended, by Innocence Mission. By contrast, this recording by Innocence
Mission is almost the complete opposite of the Mary Fahl CD. The female lead
singer has a wispy, fragile voice, and the accompanyment is spare and
largely acoustic.

Wishing Well, by Richie Havens. This is not a memorable CD, but anytime I
can hear the soothing tones of Havens rich baritone voice I'm happy.
Listening to this disk is like drinking a strong cup of freshly brewed
coffee.

Born to Be Blue, by Toni Price. Whenever I go to a new record store, I never
know if I am going to find Toni Price in the Rock, R&B, Blues, Country, or
Folk sections... she's hard to categorize, though this new album is a little
more mellow and country than her previous work, I think.

The Best of Tish Hinojosa Live, by Tish Hinojosa. For a time in the mid-90s,
I though Tish was about to become a phenomenon -- at least among folk
aficionados. But that kind of success has alluded her so far. She has a
sweet, beautiful voice and writes such beautiful songs. This album doesn't
present anything new, but Tish is always welcome on my CD player.

Piece of Mind, Robin Lane & The Chartbusters. Robin Lane started out as a
folk singer, and did some backup vocals for Neil Young in the 1970s. As that
decade came to a close, she formed The Chartbusters, a punk, new-wave band
with a folky accent. Now, 20 years later, the band reformed to record this
new album. Robin Lane's husky vocals bend the lyrics of her songs with a
note of irony.

A Kiss in time, by Patty Griffin. I don't know why it has taken me so long
to discover Patty, but somehow she had slipped beneath my radar until this
year. This CD has been my introduction to her, and I'm now a fast fan. 

Feast of Wire, by Calexico. (This may have been a 2002 release, I'm not
sure.) I enjoy this band's esoteric mix of border music. It's kind an odd
mix of pop and country with a pinch of Herb Alpert thrown in for good
measure.

Here's to a happy new year of good music.

Steve Zeoli
Hubbardont, Vermont

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Subject: NN: Nanci in NJ - 2/27/2004
   Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 06:03:35 -0800
   From: "Susan Krauss" (sekrauss@comcast.net>

This is one of my favorite venues.  Why do I get their email when they're in
New Jersey and I'm in California?  It's near my mom's house and I try to
take her when I visit.  When I lived in NYC I went all the time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: "outpostconcerts" (outpostconcerts@yahoo.com>
Subject: Happy Holidays and News From the Outpost

We at the Outpost in the Burbs want to wish all of you and your families the
HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS AND HEALTHIEST OF NEW YEARS!

We thank you for attending our shows and hope you will continue to do so.

Some quick news:
Most of you know that we are really proud to be presenting NANCI GRIFFITH on
February 27, 2004.  This show was just announced last week and tickets went
on sale this past Friday.  While we expect the show to be a sell out, we are
amazed at how fast the tickets are selling.  If you definitely want to
attend this show, please, purchase your tickets early and tell your friends
to also.  This is the first time we have ever told you this two months
before a show!

Here is our schedule so far for 2004:

Jan 9 - CHRIS SMITHER with special guest Louise Taylor - 
$18 in advance; $20 day of show

Jan 23 - CHRISTINE LAVIN with special guests Full Frontal Folk - 
$22 in advance; $25 day of show

February 13 - MARY FAHL (formerly the lead singer of October Project) with
special guests Girlyman - $18 in advance; $20 day of show

February 27 - NANCI GRIFFITH with tba; A WFUV.ORG AND 90.7FM SHOW - 
all tickets $35

March 12 - JEFFREY GAINES with special guest Dulcie Taylor - 
$20 advance; $22 day of show

March 19 - GARLAND JEFFREYS with tba - 
$20 advance; $22 day of show 

Also in 2004 (tickets not on sale yet):

April 2 - Aztec 2 Step
April 16 - tba
April 30 - Clive Gregson and Michael Smith (co bill)
May 14 - The Songs of Phil Ochs
May 21 - The Falcon Ridge Preview Tour
May 28 - October Project
June 11 - The Kennedys with special guest Cadence Carroll

Advance Ticket Sales at the Outpost (973-744-6560) on concert nights, or
send a self addressed stamped envelope with a check in the full amount
(advance ticket price) at least 10 days in advance to: Tickets, Outpost in
the Burbs, 40 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042-3396.

Advance tickets are now also available on line at Ticketweb.com
(http://www.ticketweb.com/>

Our ticket outlet in Montclair is Keil's Pharmacy, 732 Valley Road, Upper
Montclair, NJ (973-744-2113) and they do have parking!

Also at the Outpost:
We are collecting donations of unopened hotel amenities: soaps, shampoo,
conditioner, lotion, makeup samples, etc., as well as paper grocery bags for
distribution to those receiving assistance through the Human Needs Food
Pantry in Montclair, NJ. What an easy way to make a difference in the life
of someone less fortunate! Articles will be accepted at all Outpost concerts
and activities. 

Listen to WFUV.ORG and WFUV 90.7 FM (http://www.wfuv.org/> Public Radio from
Fordham University

Visit our website outpostintheburbs.org http://www.outpostintheburbs.org/ If
you care to write back regarding our concert series, send your e mail to
outpostconcerts@aol.com (mailto:outpostconcerts@aol.com>.

Please feel free to forward this on to anyone you think would be interested.
Don't forget, the Outpost in the Burbs is more than just concerts. We also
participate in Habitat for Humanity, Soup Kitchens, Community Foodbank,
among others. Spiritual drumming and Philosopher's Cafe are some of our
activities.

We always welcome new volunteers. Please contact Steve at stevec@nac.net
(mailto:stevec@nac.net> if interested.

The Outpost in the Burbs in an independent non profit corporation with
offices and concert venues located in the First Congregational Church, 40
South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey

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Subject: Re: NN: NN coming back to life, favorite albums 2003, 
         and the next Nanci
   Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 22:21:39 -0600
   From: Ed Maier (evmaier@sbcglobal.net>

2003 favorites:
John Cash- American IV
Emmylou Harris- Stumble Into Grace
Martina Mcbride- Emotion
Kate Campbell- Twang On A Wire

Forgot to add a very good album, "Just Because I'm A Woman, Songs Of Dolly
Parton"

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Subject: NN: Chords to St Olav's gate?
   Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 20:35:30 -0000
   From: "john jobling" (john.jobling@virgin.net>

Hi
Does anyone have the guitar chords for St.Olav's gate?  Anything for
acoustic guitar...in a relatively easy key would be good. Hope you can help.


Thanks
John
Northumberland, England

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Subject: NN: RE: Chords to St Olav's gate?
   Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 18:03:31 -0000
   From: "Matt Bloomfield" (mail@mattbloomfield.co.uk>

Does anyone have the guitar chords for St.Olav's gate?  Anything for
acoustic guitar...in a relatively easy key would be good. Hope you can
help.((

St Olav's:
http://www.altcountrytab.com/actforum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=5977

General Tabs:
http://adamschneider.net/music/ng/
http://www.nancigriffith.com/fans_guitar.php

Google will give you more and TabRobot and OLGA are both pretty good.

On the subject of guitar chords and tabs, does any one know if the nearly
complete archive of Nanci's stuff that I think used to be hosted on a Bangor
university address?

Matt

It's Back:
http://www.mattbloomfield.co.uk 

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Subject: NN: My best of 2003
   Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 14:09:57 EST
   From: ConorMG@aol.com

I'm still catching up with the profusion of music from 2002 so haven't
bought a lot. From what I've heard of them, I suspect my best of 2003 will
be three live albums:
Allison Moorer     Show  
Patty Griffin      A Kiss in Time 
Dixie Chicks       Top of the World Tour 

But maybe I've only heard the best bits of them.  So my votes go to the two
new records I've been listening to the most:
Rosie Thomas    Only with Laughter Can You Win     
Strange, beautiful, original songs.

Caitlin Cary      I'm Staying Out     
for the first 7 tracks, especially the song our main DJ Bob Harris called
'just about my favourites song of the year', 'Maybe the Next Time'.  She has
a wonderful ability to create tunes you feel you've always known.

My best concerts of 2003 were:
Dixie Chicks at the Albert Hall
Mary Gauthier at Maidstone, Kent
Eliza Gilkyson at Chichester, Sussex
Dick Gaughan, Show of Hands, Jez Lowe, John Tams, Brooks Williams, Little
Johnny England at Claygate, Surrey
Richard Thompson and Kim Richey at Basingstoke, Hants
Sheer bliss, all of them.

Have a great holiday all of you, and keep the mails coming.  Every mention
of your favourite singers could add to their sales and feed their children.

Every thread is sacred!

Conor

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Subject: NN: The Perfect Gift
   Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 19:43:52 -0800 (PST)
   From: Shawn Kimbro (shawn@mountainsoul.net>

Ah, the holidays.  Those of you who know me understand
that this is my *least* favorite time of year.  Each
December I put on my best Grinch by ignoring Christmas
until, at the last minute, I'm hopelessly careening
down that Christmas eve mountain of defeat into the
automatic double doors of the Ronco Store searching
for the perfect Turbo-Rotisserie Miracle Potato
Chopper.

You know, I'm not generally a follower of Louis
Farrakahn, but these holiday shopping trips have
resulted in a full and complete understanding of "The
Million Man March." Each year I join the hundreds of
thousands of faceless males desperately trudging
through the malls and discount stores searching for
the suppositious "PERFECT GIFT."

For some reason I thought it would be different this
year.  I wanted to get the true spirit of Christmas
and finally do things right.  Inspired by being asked
to pray at a recent family get-together, I got out my
King James and eventually found the chapter I'd
memorized from so many episodes of "A Charlie Brown
Christmas."  

"And in the days of Herod the King there were
shepherds tending their flocks by night etc. etc., and
wise men bearing gold, frankincense, and mir."

That's where I stopped.  Hmmm. Now I know what gold
is, and I believe mir is a space station, but what
about this business of "Frankincense."  I thought if I
could just find it, it would surely be the perfect
Christmas gift.  I bungied some deer horns to the
front bumper of the Diamante and headed east.  My
destination was Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for it is
there and only there, where I believed there to be the
perfect place to purchase Frankincense -"The Smoky
Mountain Bible Factory Outlet Store."

I was mistaken. The checkout clerk, a tattooed and
pierced teenager wearing a short leather mini skirt
and a tight "My Body is a Temple, Not a Visitor
Center" t-shirt looked at me with disgust, popped her
gum and explained that they were either sold out of
frankincense or they didn't carry it, she wasn't sure.
She advised the shopping mall.  

I found my place with the masses and trudged through
the J.C. Penny mall entrance to the "Your Picture With
Santa" kiosk.  Still not willing to release the hope of
a happy holiday, I stopped to listen to the kids sitting 
on Santa's knee.

"Dear Santa, all I want is for my mama and daddy to
get back together."

Awwh.  How sweet.  Santa gave a jolly laugh and said
something diplomatic, but I knew what he really meant
was. "Yeah, well not while your dad's bangin' his
secretary like a screen door in a hurricane.  Next
time ask for some nice Legos."

My spirit more depleted and the hours ticking away, I
headed into first store I saw.  There I found the most
interesting sales table piled high with "Last Minute
Gift Ideas."  It was topped with an amazing collection
of mismatched toe socks, pumpkin candles, and
partially opened apple cinnamon potpourri bags. Deeper
into the stack I could see what looked like
holographic paper weights and protruding extra-long &
spicy Slim Jims. I breathed in deeply enjoying the
wonderful smell of the holidays and began digging
through the sale items.  Sadly, no frankincense.

I could go on and on, but to make a long story short,
I visited every store in the mall, came away with some
really bad gifts, and ended up at my favorite local
bar.  I must have looked pretty dejected because the
nice barmaid gave me the first Scotch for free related
my sorry story.  In a last shot of desperation, I
asked her what she knew about the illusive
frankincense.  She began digging in her purse as she
matter-of-factly explained.

"Think about it honey.  Joseph was miles away from
home, maybe stuck in a barn with his in-laws, his
girlfriend was pregnant and probably not his kid,
strange people in funny clothes kept showing up...."

She held up her freshly filled prescription bottle.

"I'm pretty sure your King James bible scholars meant
to translate frankincense as Xanax."

I think she might be right!

Happy Holidays,
-Shawn

http://www.mountainsoul.net

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Subject: RE: NN: Keeping the list and reintegrating the Cafe
   Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 21:51:30 -0800 (PST)
   From: Shawn Kimbro (shawn@mountainsoul.net>

Here's why not...

Well, for whatever reason I found myself in an IHOP at
3:30 AM Wednesday morning. My marketing rep had called
me about 10:00 PM to say she wanted to buy 500 bucks
worth of holiday "topiaries" to deliver to referring
docs the next day. I had no clue what a topiary was,
but I didn't want to appear ignorant so I said,
"okay."  After visiting a few watering holes and
ending up at the pancake place, I started worrying
about this "topiary" decision. Inhibitions long
forgotten, I decided to go from table to table and
poll the IHOP patrons.  As usual for this time of
morning, it was an interesting crowd made especially
entertaining because the "Lord of the Rings" geeks
(what's the word for them?) had shown up after
watching the midnight movie opening.  Do you know that
no one in the whole damn IHOP knew what a topiary
is!?!  Everyone gave me a different answer! I asked
one guy in a long black robe with pointy ears who
called himself an elf and he went into this long
soliloquy about topiaries in the background when
Aragorn and Gandalf were in Meduseld.  (I wrote it
down.) I figured I was buying middle-earth movie
souvenirs so I walked away happily only to find some
other people standing by my booth who told me
topiaries were really spiral tree like things with
pears.  Next morning, I called the marketing girl
early and told her to bring something else. She showed
up at Panera Bread with some kind of Christmas plant
that look like Easter Lillies.  I asked her if that
was a topiary and she just dropped her flower pot and
screamed.  I guess that meant she didn't really know. 
I've decided that "topiary" means different things to
different people.  The only thing I'm sure of is that
they're expensive and no one really wants one.

Merry Holidays,
-Shawn

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